Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday described the newly announced Google AI Hub in Visakhapatnam as a “transformative step” for India’s digital economy. Speaking at Bharat AI Shakti, an event hosted by Google ahead of the India AI Summit, the Minister said the facility would accelerate AI-first infrastructure, create high-value jobs, and advance India’s AI leadership.
“The Google AI hub ushers in a new era for India’s digital economy. This infrastructure breaks new ground in AI-first data center architecture, anchored by investments in subsea cable networks and powered by clean energy,” Vaishnaw said. “It will fuel a new era of AI-driven services and economic opportunities across the country.”
The AI Hub will directly support the goals of the India AI Mission, which aims to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Vaishnaw urged Google to leverage the facility for talent development and job creation, highlighting the importance of reskilling IT professionals amid rapid technological shifts.
The Minister also proposed enhancing India’s digital connectivity through new subsea cable routes. Citing the strategic potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he said, “Why can’t we make Andaman the next major hub for global internet data transfer? The Government of India will provide full support for this initiative.”
In a major infrastructure push, he also proposed a Vizag–Sittwe (Myanmar) digital link to strengthen connectivity in the North-Eastern states, complementing the existing RailTel network and supporting the Viksit Bharat Vision.
The Visakhapatnam AI Hub represents Google’s largest investment in India to date—approximately USD 15 billion over five years (2026–2030). The site will include a purpose-built data center campus providing gigawatt-scale compute capacity, developed in partnership with AdaniConnex and Airtel.
“This significant investment marks a new chapter in India’s digital transformation journey,” said N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. “We are proud to host India’s first gigawatt-scale data center and Google’s first AI Hub in India.”
The AI Hub will power advanced AI infrastructure, support large-scale renewable energy integration, and expand fiber-optic connectivity. Businesses ranging from tech giants to startups like MakeMyTrip, Meesho, Tata Consultancy Services, and AI innovators such as CoRover and Glance are expected to benefit.
A key component of the project is the construction of a new international subsea gateway. Multiple subsea cables will land in Visakhapatnam, linking to Google’s global network of over two million miles of terrestrial and subsea cables. This will diversify India’s digital backbone, complementing existing landing points in Mumbai and Chennai.
The hub will also expand clean energy capacity in Andhra Pradesh. Google will partner with local entities to build new transmission lines, renewable generation, and energy storage systems to ensure sustainable power for the massive data infrastructure.
“The Google AI Hub in Visakhapatnam represents a landmark investment in India’s digital future,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. “By delivering industry-leading AI infrastructure at scale, we are enabling businesses to innovate faster and creating meaningful opportunities for inclusive growth.”
With this project, Visakhapatnam is poised to emerge as a major global AI and connectivity hub – advancing India’s position in the global digital economy.